Course Catalog 2009-2010

Associate Professor Sue Davis, Chair

Associate Professors Sue Davis, Paul A. Djupe, Andrew Z. Katz, James R. Pletcher; Assistant Professors Eric Boehme, Mike Brady, Katy Crossley-Frolick; Academic Administrative Assistant Christy Trager

A student majoring in Political Science is required to take nine courses distributed in the following manner:

In addition, the following rules apply:

A student minoring in Political Science is required to take six courses distributed in the following manner:

In addition, the following rules apply:

The Richard G. Lugar Program in Politics and Public Service. See page the section called “Lugar Program”.

Other Programs. The Political Science Department participates in the interdepartmental major in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). The department also participates in the interdisciplinary International Studies program.

Introductory Topics in Political Science (POSC-199).  A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4

American Political Behavior and Institutions (POSC-202).  Is democracy workable in the United States? Toward this end, in this introduction to American politics, we ask questions about the behavior of the political institutions and actors trying to influence them. Significant attention is paid to the mechanisms constructed by political institutions that create a tether between the interests of the American public and government. Emphasis will be placed on learning analytic skills through papers and exams. 4

Selected Topics in Political Science (POSC-203).  This course permits the investigation of significant political problems at the introductory level, and will vary in content according to the interest of the instructor. 4

Introduction to American Political Thought (POSC-204).  An introduction to the issues, debates and problems of American political theory. This course addresses the historical legacy of Puritan, republican, liberal, radical, and conservative traditions through a study of the primary texts of people like Mather, Jefferson, Madison, Tocqueville, Douglass, Stanton, Lincoln, Sumner, DuBois, Debs, Croly, FDR, King, or Reagan. We will also judge the debates about federalism, rights, popular sovereignty, slavery, and race during the colonial era, as well as the long term legacies of both industrial capitalism, and race, gender, and religious differences in the United States. 4

Introduction to Concepts in Political Philosophy (POSC-205).  An introduction to the art and science of political philosophy. This class teaches the skills of making normative arguments in the context of understanding politics as purposive behavior. What should be the means and ends of government? What kind of government should we create, and how will power be distributed? How should we prioritize our commitments to ideas like order, justice, liberty, and equality? What role do our material realities, our economies and our culture play in the formation of our identities and our commitments? This course will link normative arguments to contemporary political and policy debates about the state and governing, rights, obligations, diversity and multiculturalism. 4

Constitutional Law and Its Practice (POSC-207).  This course examines the basic principles of Constitutional law in the United States from an interdisciplinary perspective. This course examines important political and theoretical questions regarding the rule of law, interpreting the Constitution, and the role of the Supreme Court in the U.S. system of politics and government. This course also teaches the skills of practicing law, including analogizing cases using legal reasoning, writing legal briefs and presenting oral argument in a legal setting. All students are required to participate in the class practicum by competing with Denison?s Moot Court team. This course has a substantial oral component and oral skills work and so satisfies the university's R requirement. 4

Analyzing Politics (POSC-212).  This course introduces students to the discipline of political science as a bridge to upper level courses. Basic definitions, fundamental concepts, and various approaches used in the empirical study of politics are discussed. The course acquaints students with how political scientists think about studying society and provides a basis for more sophisticated research and understanding of empirical political theory, as well as skills for systematically analyzing political and social issues. Students will explore and use statistics and quantitative methods in the lab to address substantive research questions. 4

Introduction to Comparative Politics of Developed States (POSC-221).  This course will introduce students to the politics of the major constitutional democracies of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Much of the course will focus upon politics of individual countries, the course will also seek to compare political phenomena across and look at some conceptual and theoretical issues that these systems have in common. Political parties, political forces and interests, representation, elections, executives, bureaucracy and ethnicity will be among the subjects of comparative analysis. 4

Comparative Politics of Developing Nations (POSC-222).  This course explores problems of stability, development and democracy in developing nations by employing basic concepts of comparative politics. Course discussions and readings will focus on concepts and will apply these to case studies drawn from Latin America, Africa and Asia. Emphasis will be placed on learning analytic skills through essay examinations and papers. 4

Introduction to International Politics (POSC-242).  This course provides an introduction to both the language used to describe international politics and the ways relationships between actors on the world stage may be analyzed. Relying on history and contemporary events to illuminate key concepts, we cover the causes of war and peace, the role of economics in international affairs and the place of morality in statecraft. This course is recommended for advanced study in the areas of international relations and foreign policy. 4

Intermediate Topics in Political Science (POSC-299).  A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4

The Development of Political Thought-Ancient (POSC-302).  Debating classical Greek and Roman thought through the works of thinkers like the Greek tragedians, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine or Aquinas. This course involves intensive textual analysis and a study of the problems of morality, government, membership and expansion in the ancient Greek and Roman world. We will also judge the moral and political legacy of the ancients by addressing contemporary debates about democracy, citizenship, power, empire, and the rule of law. 4

The Development of Political Thought - From Machiavelli to Mill (POSC-303).  Debating the moral and political problems of modernity through the works of thinkers like Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Burke, Paine, or Mill. This course involves intensive textual analysis and a study of the problems of virtue, interest, power, sovereignty, rights, and revolution in the modern era. We will also judge the place of ideas like liberty and equality within the system of law in republican, liberal, conservative and radical political thought. 4

The Development of Political Thought: Marx to Present (POSC-304).  Debating contemporary political theory through the work of such thinkers as Marx, Nietzsche, Dewey, Arendt, Fanon, Marcuse, Foucault, Rawls, Habermas, Walzer, or Butler. This course involves intensive textual analysis and a study of the problems of power, capitalism, rights, obligations, culture, and identity in the contemporary era. We will also judge the legacies of radical, liberal, and pragmatic thought, and the challenges offered by critical theory, feminism, and post-colonial studies. 4

Politics of the Third World (POSC-308).  This course explores the politics of developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America in their historical socioeconomic contexts. The goals of the course include familiarizing students with the details of politics in selected countries and understanding important concepts of political science by applying them to the case study countries. Emphasis will be placed on using concepts and theories to analyze and critique arguments. No prior knowledge of the developing world is required. However, students will be expected to identify and analyze issues germane to the developing world, read and critique systematically, form and defend arguments and opinions, conduct independent library research, pose researchable questions, and discuss readings and research findings in class. 4

Political Organizations in the U.S (POSC-311).  "Democracy is unthinkable save in terms of the parties." Yet, some, including the Founding Fathers, have been less sure of Schattschneider's truism, warning of the mischiefs of faction. Political organization, however, by most accounts has been the engine and structure of American democracy throughout its two centuries. Parties, interest groups, and social movements have formed and acted to create and insure that American democracy truly is of, by, and for the people. In the course, we will investigate the formation, maintenance, and death of political organizations, the effectiveness and representative nature of political organizations, the strategies and resources of organizations, as well as recent challenges by such factors as increased individualism, media, technology and money. Organizations considered may include: the Republican, Democratic, and third parties; major interest groups such as the Sierra Club, AARP, NRA, Christian Coalition, Chamber of Commerce, and unions; and social movements such as the women's, civil rights, and Christian conservative movements. 4

Religion and Politics in U.S. (POSC-312).  This course offers an intensive analysis of the many connections between the American religious and political systems. Questions considered include whether religion is fulfilling its democratic responsibilities, the constitutional bounds of the relationship between church and state, the religious dimensions of American political behavior, religious influences on political institutions and decision makers, and religious interests group activity. 4

American Political Behavior (POSC-313).  This course focuses on the involvement of the public in American political processes. We will address such questions as: Why do citizens vote? For whom do they vote? How else do citizens involve themselves in the political process and why? What does the public think about political issues? What forces can change the nature, concerns, and behavior of the electorate? What are the prospects for a workable participatory democracy in America? The course is geared toward the conduct of statistically-based research on substantive problems in American political behavior. 4

American Public Policy (POSC-315).  This course is designed to explore issues, processes, and outcomes in U.S. public policy through the use of various tools of analysis and evaluation. The course emphasizes understanding of policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation from political, rational, and ethical perspectives and their application to current policies, which may include education, welfare, defense, healthcare, energy, environmental protection, crime, and equal opportunity. POSC 202 is a prerequisite of this course. 4

The Politics of Congress (POSC-319).  This course examines the influence of such important historical, institutional, and political factors on the workings of Congress as separation of powers, bicameralism, chamber size, permanent committees, partisanship, and party leadership. We pay particular attention to chamber differences in legislative process, to changes in that process responsive to partisan polarization and other contextual factors, and to relations between the executive and legislative branches. POSC 202 is a prerequisite for this course. 4

The American Presidency (POSC-320).  This course focuses on the history of the presidency with particular attention to the origins, development, and exercise of executive powers. We also examine writings on the character, policies, reputation, and rhetoric of individual presidents; presidential management of the executive branch; and presidential leadership of Congress. Note that a separate course -- POSC-321 -- covers the nomination and election of American presidents. POSC-202 is a prerequisite for this course unless waived by instructor's consent. 4

Selecting the President (POSC-321).  Divided into three parts, this course deals with party nominations of presidential candidates, general election campaigns and ratification of the general election outcome by the electoral college. We spend most of our time on presidential nominating politics, beginning with the history of presidential nominations from what the founders intended to the front-loaded, primary-dominated, media- and money-driven system currently in use. Some of the topics examined in depth include scheduling of presidential primaries and caucuses, campaign finance, media coverage of campaigns, divisive primaries, the national nominating convention, voting behavior in primaries and in the general election, and the perennial debate between critics and defenders of the electoral college. When possible, the course includes direct observation of candidates and campaigns. No prerequisites. This course counts toward the fulfillment of Lugar program requirements. 4

Politics of Russia (POSC-322).  This course focuses on contemporary Russian politics. Because Russian politics cannot be understood in the absence of historical context, the course will devote some time to the Tsarist and Soviet periods. At least half of the course deals with the Russian Federation under presidents Yeltsin, Putin, and Medvedev. Constitutional debates, federalism, ethnic issues, political struggles, the Chechen war, changing relations with the U.S. and NATO, and more will be covered, as well as executive, legislative, and judicial institutions. 4

Politics in Eastern Europe (POSC-323).  This course will look at what made eastern and western Europe different from one another and how/why those differences are now becoming less pronounced. We will focus on several countries that were referred to as eastern Europe during the Cold War, among the possible cases we could cover are Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, and more. In addition to looking at individual countries, we will also analyze political institutions and trends across countries. This course has a substantial oral component and oral skills work and so satisfies the university's R requirement. 4

Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa (POSC-324).  This course explores contemporary issues in African political systems from a variety of theoretical perspectives. These issues include: political stability, democracy, economic development, and structural adjustment. No prior knowledge of Africa is required, but students should be prepared to read detailed analytic and historical contexts with a view to applying their insights to contemporary problems. 4

Ethnic Conflict/Ethnic Peace (POSC-325).  This course will help students analyze the nature of ethnic conflict, as well as understand why some multiethnic states avoid ethnic wars while other do not. We will primarily focus on ethnicities that inhabit the former Soviet space but will look at other groups as well as for a more nuanced view of "ethnic" conflict. 4

America in Vietnam (POSC-326).  The seminar will illuminate the key controversies of the Vietnam experience and trace their persistence in American politics, foreign policy and military strategy. The course will trace the development of U.S. military and diplomatic policy regarding Vietnam, assess the various lessons attributed to the Vietnam experience, and consider how application of these lessons has altered American's attitudes toward interventionism. 4

The Middle East in World Affairs (POSC-327).  The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the political history, international significance, and the dimensions of political life in the Middle East. Owing to the ever-present potential for conflict, the seeming intractability of disputes, and the oil factor, what happens in the Middle East is of vital importance to international politics. We examine the role that politics in the Middle East has played in world affairs as well as the region's importance in the future. 4

Politics of the Global Environment (POSC-328).  This course is about the theoretical, political, and practical problems associated with environmental action. Course materials analyze various theoretical perspectives on the relationship between humans and nature, and they illustrate how different ethics lead to widely different prescriptions for personal and political action. Course materials also offer examples of how environmental problems have in fact been addressed or not by governmental, non-governmental, and international institutions. This is not a course on the physical processes of environmental problems, but rather it emphasizes the political, economic, and theoretical contexts within which efforts are made to act on environmental threats. No prior knowledge of environmental or political science is required. However, students should be prepared to read and interpret detailed social science texts, to formulate and articulate cogent arguments, and to conduct independent research. 4

Transitions to Democracy (POSC-330).  The last quarter of the 20th century saw a sharp increase in the number of countries with democratic political systems. This course explores the politics and the circumstances of these transitions to democracy. It addresses questions such as: What accounted for this growth? Why the sudden and dramatic shift to democratic forms of governance? What did these transitions look like? Who were the key protagonists? The course examines several case studies from Latin America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Central America, Asia and Africa. 4

The European Union (POSC-331).  The course explores the peculiarities of the EU and what makes it a unique organization, sharing characteristics of a state and characteristics of a traditional international organization. First, we will place the study of European integration in a historical context. Then we will make sense of the various decision-making processes and institutional actors of the EU. We will also examine theories of European integration to understand competing explanations for the integration process. Fourth, various policy areas will be studied to show how the power of the EU is distributed unevenly across areas. During the final two weeks of the course we will simulate a gathering of the European Council. 4

The United Nations and World Problems (POSC-344).  The founding of public international organizations represent an attempt to bring order to an unruly international system. International organizations are formal institutions established by states to address global problems. They include not only the United Nations, but also many other public or private, international, national or local, formal or unformal institutions. Collectively, these institutions engage in global governance. Our goals in this course are to understand the theoretical and practical approaches to international organizations and global governance, the limitations under which global governance operates, and the future prospects for a system of global governance. This course has a substantial oral component and oral skills work and so satisfies the university's R requirement. 4

Human Rights in Global Perspective (POSC-345).  This course analyzes the emergence, expansion and enforcement of international human rights norms. Students taking the course will acquire an enhanced understanding of the United Nations, national governments, nongovernmental organizations, customary international law, treaty law, regional courts, and international tribunals in articulating and enforcing human rights. Students will acquire a broad understanding of human rights as a topic of both intellectual inquiry and political action. 4

The Supreme Court and the Political Process (POSC-350).  This course focuses on the political role and impact of Supreme Court decisions on American politics. It also examines the institutional development of the federal court system, original and appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, presidential nomination of federal judges and justices, and the Senate confirmation process. POSC 202 is helpful but not required. 4

International Political Economy (POSC-355).  The purpose of this course is to explore theoretical approaches to international politics and economics. The course focuses on U.S. foreign policy in the postwar international system, issues of trade and finance, and the impact these have had on the problems of developing societies. Students should bring some knowledge of basic economic concepts to the course. Analytic reasoning and persuasive argumentation will be emphasized. 4

Foreign Policy Formulation (POSC-358).  This course provides an assessment of the domestic factors responsible for the formulation of U.S. foreign policy. We will examine four categories of internal sources that impact U.S. response to external phenomena. Topics for analysis include: the constitutional separation of powers, bureaucratic politics, the psychology of decision makers, as well as the role of interest groups, public opinion, and the news media in the formulation of foreign policy. 4

The Conduct of American Foreign Policy (POSC-359).  This course explores the evolution of U.S. foreign policy from the beginning of the Cold War to the present day. The course focuses on the responses of successive American administrations to potential or actual threats to the national interests of the U.S. Emphasis will be placed on the containment doctrine, its application in Vietnam, and subsequent efforts to replace containment following the end of the Vietnam war and the end of the Cold War. 4

Directed Study (POSC-361).  Directed Studies are undertaken at the initiative of the student and may involve any topic acceptable to the student and an instructor. Written consent. 1-4

Directed Study (POSC-362).  Directed studies are undertaken at the initiative of the student and may involve any topic acceptable to the student and an instructor. Written consent. 1-4

Independent Study (POSC-363).  Written consent. 1-4

Independent Study (POSC-364).  Written consent. 1-4

Special Topics (POSC-370).  4

Advanced Topics in Political Science (POSC-399).  A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4

Senior Seminar (POSC-401).  Open to juniors and seniors from all departments with the consent of the instructor. Preference will be given to the Political Science majors. 4

Senior Seminar: American Political Development (POSC-402).  This capstone seminar will study political development and institutions within the context of American politics. Political development perspectives investigate the phenomena of how and why institutions persist or change over time. The life of an institution has many distinct phases where change or continuity can happen. From the initial debate over the need and purpose for the institution itself, to its founding, its consolidation, its change, persistence, decline, or failure, political development involves the interaction of institutional rules and norms with actors and groups with differing levels of resources and power. This seminar will analyze case studies of political development in the United States by combining historical investigation with an analysis of the timing, sequencing, and overlapping nature of different institutional legacies. We will pay attention to the battles over founding an institution and the potential path development or institutional drift an institution might face, the critical junctures or opportunities where an institution can change, and the lock-in or policy feedback loops an institution can generate. (Offered spring) 4

Senior Research (POSC-451).  Written consent. 4

Senior Research (POSC-452).  Written consent. 4